Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh

Your Bridge to the Stars

AAAP News

Annual Allegheny Observatory Open House, September 22, 2017

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The Annual Allegheny Observatory Open House is scheduled for Friday evening the 22nd of September.   Guests may obtain tickets  for the tour by calling the observatory at 412-321-2400 starting at 9:00a.m. Tuesday morning the 1st of August. There is no cost for the tickets but they are in limited supply and go quickly.  Amateur Astronomer Association of Pittsburgh members will volunteer for both inside the building and bring telescopes for outside on the front lawn. AAAP Member volunteers need to login for member information to appear.

CANCELLED: Friday, June 28, 2017 Wagman Star Party

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CANCELLED: Friday, June 28, 2017 Wagman Star Party

In the interest of safety the Friday, June 28, 2017 Wagman Star Party has been cancelled.  The possibility of flash flooding in the area, especially in nearby Russellton, during the evening hours is the main reason for this decision.  Factor in a soggy field and Thunderstorms around our facilities, it was the only choice to we can make.

Saturday night’s Wagman Star Party is still on at this 1PM, June 28, 2017 update.

 

 

[Read more…] about CANCELLED: Friday, June 28, 2017 Wagman Star Party

Wagman Observatory Star Parties, Friday and Saturday, July 28 & 29, 2017

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CANCELLED: Friday, June 28, 2017 Wagman Star Party

In the interest of safety the Friday, June 28, 2017 Wagman Star Party has been cancelled.  The possibility of flash flooding in the area, especially in nearby Russellton, during the evening hours is the main reason for this decision.  Factor in a soggy field and Thunderstorms around our facilities, it was the only choice to we can make.

Saturday night’s Wagman Star Party is still on at this 1PM, June 28, 2017 update.

Wagman Observatory Star Parties, Friday and Saturday, July 28 & 29, 2017, 8:55 PM

See a region of space where stars are being born, catch a dazzling view of Jupiter and see Saturn’s rings in the evening sky. Marvel at our Milky Way Galaxy’s finest planetary nebulae and star clusters and more with the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh at the AAAP’s  Wagman Observatory    July 28 and 29  Star Parties.

This invitation to amateur astronomers, students and the general public is part of AAAP’s annual series of star parties occurring March – November at the Wagman and Mingo Observatories. There is no charge for these events, although donations are appreciated. Read more about Star Parties here.

These  July 28 & 29, 2017  Wagman Star Parties create an opportunity to view the July sky: Jupiter and several of its moons, followed by Saturn, its rings and some of its moons, the dazzling Hercules Cluster,  the Ring Nebula and much more.

With the Great American Eclipse, August 21, 2017 less than a month away these star party nights provide opportunity to learn more by talking with helpfull AAAP volunteer staff. The Pittsburgh Partial Solar Eclipse will be 84%, comparable to a cloud dimming the sun or the amount of daylight at ~7:30 AM or PM that day. Never look directly at the Sun without proper (safe) filtration.  Sunglasses are not enough. From anywhere in the  Pittsburgh Area that day from about 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM with safe filtration it would be possible to observe the Moon’s shadow pass in front of the Sun. No magnification needed. Safe solar filtration absolutely required to prevent eye damage.

Regardless of your experience or ability level you will be welcome to join the throng of avid sky watchers. Perhaps you have a telescope and do not know how to use it? Bring it along and members of the AAAP will help! Likewise if you are considering a telescope purchase or the addition of accessories, star charts and books Wagman is a good place to start. Members of the AAAP will help!

The Star Parties will be held WEATHER PERMITTING. The public should call 724-224-2510 for more information. The Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory is located in Deer Lakes Regional Park, Frazer Township, Pa., near the village of Russellton in northeastern Allegheny County and some 18 miles from Pittsburgh. Coordinates: Latitude 40.627 degrees N, Longitude 79.813 degrees W. Map and Directions under the About Tab at www.3ap.org and here.

Admission is free, though we gladly accept donations to cover the cost of operation. To reach Wagman Observatory, follow the Orange Belt (accessible from Routes 8 and 28) to Deer Lakes Park, near Russellton. Follow the road through the Park for 1.2 miles and turn left on to the Observatory grounds. Please use parking lights only when you drive through the gate.  In the observing rooms or near the outside telescopes please avoid use of bright lights: cell phones, white lights or flashlights, glow sticks, etc.  and especially no flash photograph. There is no smoking permitted anywhere on the site. Planning for next year? Wagman Observatory’s 2018 Star Party Dates have been published.

For updates, check back here and AAAP Facebook or phone the observatory, 724-224-2510,  the night of the event. Wagman Observatory Clear Sky Chart.

2018 Mingo Observatory Star Party Dates

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 2018 Mingo Observatory Star Party Dates

April 21

May 18 & 19

June 8 & 9

July 20 & 21

Aug 11 & Aug 18

Sept 7 & 8

Oct 6 & Oct 20

Nov 3

Plan Ahead for 2018 Mingo Observatory Star Party Dates: The Star Parties will be held WEATHER PERMITTING. The public should call 724-348-6150 for more information. The Mingo Observatory, owned and operated by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh is located in Mingo Creek County Park, Washington County, Nottingham Twp, PA. Coordinates: Latitude 40.211 degrees N, Longitude 80.020 degrees W.  Map and Directions under the About Tab at www.3ap.org .

Mingo Observatory Star Parties, July 14 & 15, 2017

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The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh invites you to a Star Party at Mingo Creek Park Observatory Located in Mingo Creek Park, Mansion Hill Extension, past Shelter 10 in Washington County, PA. Phone #: 724-348-6150

Dates:  Friday and Saturday, July 14 & 15, 2017
Times:  Safe solar observing; 6:30 PM – Night sky observing; approximately 9:00 PM (Weather Permitting for observing).

Planetarium Presentations will occur rain or shine starting at 7:30 PM.

Come and learn about the Mingo Creek Park Observatory, the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh and astronomy in general. The evening events consist of the following:

* There will be safe observing of the Sun beginning approximately two hours before sunset through the 4” Lunt Hydrogen Alpha telescope.

* After dusk using both the 10” D & G Refractor and the 24” Optical Guidance Systems Reflector telescopes, observe the wonders of the night sky. Some objects observed may include views of Jupiter and its moons, Mars and the craters of the Moon. Many deep sky objects may also be observed such as the Ring Nebula and other nebulae, clusters and double stars.

* Presentations about current events in astronomy and the Mingo Creek Park night sky will take place in the Richard Y. Haddad Planetarium at various times throughout the night.

The Mingo Creek Park Observatory is handicap accessible. There is no charge for your visit, but we gladly accept donations to cover operating expenses. There is no reservation needed and there is no limit on group sizes.

NOTE: Mingo Creek Park Observatory and its grounds, as a part of Mingo Creek County Park, are a no smoking and no alcohol permitted area.

Mingo Creek Park Observatory is operated by an all-volunteer staff of members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh.
Becky Nichols
Director
Mingo Creek Park Observatory

CANCELLED: Mingo Star Party for Friday 06/23/2017

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Due to severe weather (tornado warning, downed trees, and flooding) in the area, the Mingo Star Party for Friday, June 23rd, 2017 has been cancelled.

The weather outlook for Saturday’s Star Party looks good, however, so it should still take place. As with all star parties, though, please be sure to check the website, calendar, or Facebook page for the most up-to-date information on cancellations.